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Examples of Opening Sequences

So how do you grab the viewers’ attention from the very beginning of your documentary? It would be fantastic to be able to provide a simple answer to this, but of course it is not so. Many things are influencing what a good opening sequence is and the solutions are manifol.

However the challenge of making a good opening sequence deserves attention. Therefore we have gathered these examples, which hopefully can inspire you and your team for the next opening sequence you are working on. Hope you will find this selection of opening sequences inspiring. We recommend that you watch the openings in full screen.

Thank you to the rights owners, who provided permission to post these opening sequences.

Friedrich Moser: I have several favourites:1. The Corporation archive.org/details/The_Corporation_2. Man on Wire. Amazing how they directly suck you into the story from the first image shown, the first word spoken. Best dramatic re-construction ever seen.manonwire.com3. Fahrenheit 9/11. Amazing how they got this archive footage celebrating Al Gore as winner of the 2000 US elections... The first image already gives you the feeling that something is wrong - which is the topic of the film. See the opening here.